15 Reasons To Not Be Ignoring ADHD Anxiety Medication
15 Reasons To Not Be Ignoring ADHD Anxiety Medication
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ADHD and Anxiety Medication
Anxiety disorders are often co-occurring with ADHD. Anxiety can cause restlessness sleep disturbance and irritability.
The use of stimulants can ease these symptoms however, they may also cause adverse effects, such as tics and minor growth reduction in children and adolescents. In addition, some people experience anxiety-related issues when taking stimulant medications.
Stimulants
Stimulants are substances used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Narcolepsy. They are also popular among recreational drug users as stimulants and performance-enhancing substances because of their ability to increase energy, alertness and focus. You can find them in the form of tablets, capsules or chunky crystals. They are also available as a brown or white dust. Large doses of stimulants can cause over-stimulation and result in anxiety and stomach cramps, panic attacks or paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants can also lead to addiction and serious side effects, such as heart problems as well as high blood pressure and stroke.
The drugs typically prescribed to treat ADHD also have a proven track record of alleviating symptoms of anxiety. They improve the availability of the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine, which tend to be less in people suffering from ADHD. This increases activity and communication between parts of the brain that regulate the executive and attention functions. This leads to improved impulse control and anxiety symptoms decreasing.
Both atomoxetine (as as well as methylphenidate) reduce anxiety symptoms in adults with ADHD who also suffer from anxiety disorders. Both treatments improved anxiety symptoms beginning as early as the 4th week of treatment. The benefit continued for 8 weeks.
It is crucial to keep in mind that the type of medication that is most effective for treating anxiety and ADHD symptoms co-occurring may depend on which of the conditions has the greatest impact on a person’s quality of living. For example, an individual may experience lots of anxious mini-crises on a daily basis while they rush to make appointments or try to keep track of school or work. These can be very distressing and might cause them to be anxious on more of a frequent basis than the symptoms of a specific anxiety or panic attack.
In these situations it may be beneficial to treat the anxiety-related symptoms with antidepressants or SSRIs which have been proven effective in decreasing anxiety levels in adults. They are taken orally and can take a long time to work. The most popular options are selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs), such as Sertraline, Fluoxetine and serotonin, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitions (SNRIs) which include duloxetine and venlafaxine. These can be taken alongside cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety and are particularly useful when a patient is suffering from an elevated heart rate or blood pressure.
SSRIs
SSRIs which are antidepressant medications, are often used to treat anxiety disorders. Prozac is the first drug of this class, is fluoxetine. The SSRIs can also help treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. These drugs are a bit more flexible than previous generations of antidepressants, and they have fewer and less severe side effects.
The SSRIs block serotonin reuptake at synapses. This causes the neurotransmitter inside the synapse to remain active and communicate with the post synaptic cell more than would be the case otherwise. This may increase the amount of norepinephrine released which may reduce anxiety symptoms. It could also result in increased levels of the neuronal cyclic AMP (cAMP), which stimulates protein synthesis.
SSRIs can also reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. They can also improve sleep quality and reduce agitation for some people with ADHD. However, these drugs can increase the risk of suicidal ideas and behavior in certain individuals. They can also cause an increase in appetite and weight gain, particularly when they first begin.
Another type of antidepressant, known as SNRIs, functions differently than the SSRIs. SNRIs block the reuptake both of serotonin as well as norepinephrine. They can also impact anxiety. They can improve the functioning of both the heart muscle and blood vessels. This may reduce feelings like anxiety and stress. They also can boost the mood of individuals suffering from bipolar disorder.
The most common SNRIs are duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR) and desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq). The SNRIs can here increase blood pressure in some people therefore they are not recommended for those with high blood pressure or heart disease.
There are many behavioral treatments for anxiety and ADHD that can be employed in conjunction with medication. Mindfulness-based techniques can be beneficial in lowering stress and anxiety and stress, as can yoga and meditation. Some people find that tapping on specific points of the body, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, can help reduce the cortisol hormone which causes anxiety. Diet and exercise can also help reduce anxiety. Your doctor can suggest eating a diet that is based on whole vegetables, fruits and grains and avoiding sugar, which can cause anxiety in some ADHD children and adults.
Non-stimulant based medications
While stimulants are extremely effective in treating ADHD and have been extensively studied but they are not the best choice for those who suffer from anxiety and ADHD. The stimulant drugs can cause adverse effects such as jitteriness, rapid heart rate and nervousness that could mimic or even worsen symptoms of anxiety.
Non-stimulant medicines are a recent option that has been used to treat ADHD since 2002 (under the brand name Strattera). They don't increase the heart rate or blood pressure and are less likely than stimulant drugs to cause anxiety-related side effects like sweating, shaking, or nervousness.
Atomoxetine targets receptors for the brain chemical norepinephrine. It can improve attention and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. It has also been shown to alleviate anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD. Researchers gathered clinical papers from PubMed EMBASE PsycINFO and PsycINFO in order to determine if atomoxetine decreased anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents with ADHD.
Another medication that is effective in helping with anxiety symptoms is bupropion, which is a drug that targets the brain chemical dopamine. Bupropion is frequently advised for people who suffer from co-occurring depression and ADHD. It can also help improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety. It is often a good idea to try and treat the root cause of anxiety before treating the ADHD since it can make anxiety symptoms disappear.
It is quite common for children with ADHD to have problems with anxiety, and in a few instances, anxiety may be caused by their ADHD symptoms. The most effective method of treating anxiety in these circumstances is usually cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as psychostimulants. This is because these treatments address the root of the problem and decrease ADHD symptoms and, in turn, decrease anxiety.
Antidepressants are also prescribed to those who have ADHD and anxiety. SSRI antidepressants that target the brain chemical Serotonin can alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve mood. Examples include Zoloft, Lexapro and Sertraline.
Your doctor will ultimately decide what medication is most suitable for you. Before recommending a drug, they will look at your lifestyle, symptoms, age, along with other health issues. It is crucial to discuss your treatment goals with your doctor and stick to a daily schedule while taking any medication.
Other options
Other treatment options could be beneficial for managing ADHD or anxiety, depending on your health goals. These include mindfulness, meditation yoga, yoga, tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques) sleep and nutrition, as well as exercise and healthy eating habits.
Dr. Hallowell says that people who suffer from anxiety are more likely to develop symptoms of ADHD, making it difficult to treat both conditions at the same time. He typically prescribes stimulants first to address ADHD and then shifts to non-stimulant drugs like bupropion, atomoxetine, or guanfacine to treat anxiety disorders. These medications work 24/7 and are not controlled substances, as stimulants are.